The difference between open circulatory system and closed circulatory system is primarily about the free flowing attitude of the blood within the vertebrates and the invertebrates. These are two enclosures that are structured in the inside of the livestock body.
- Open circulatory system: It is primarily found in invertebrates. Here, the blood flows freely through cavities since there are no vessels to conduct the blood.
- Closed circulatory system: It is found in vertebrates and a few invertebrates, like earthworms. This system has vessels that conduct blood throughout the body.
The main difference between the open and closed circulatory systems is the way blood flows in an organism. Blood can flow through vessels inside the body, such as arteries and veins. This type of circulation is called closed circulation. Open circulation happens when there are no vessels to contain the blood, and it flows freely through the cavities of the body.
Features of Circulatory System
- Blood, the heart, blood arteries, and lymph make up the human circulatory system.
- Blood is circulated through two loops (double circulation) in the human circulatory system: one for oxygenated blood and the other for deoxygenated blood.
- Two ventricles and two auricles make up the four chambers of the human heart.
- The human circulatory system is made up of a system of blood vessels that runs throughout the body. Arteries, veins, and capillaries are the three types of blood vessels.
- Blood vessels are responsible for transporting oxygenated blood and nutrients throughout the body. It’s also in charge of removing metabolic waste from the body.
- The vast majority of circulatory system diagrams fail to convey its enormity. If a human’s veins, arteries, and capillaries were put out end to end, the total length would be 1,00,000 kilometers (or roughly eight times the diameter of the Earth).
The Two Circulatory Systems
Here is a table of the many differences between the two systems:
| Open Circulatory System | Closed Circulatory System |
| The hemolymph directly bathes the organs and tissues. | The blood circulates within closed vessels. |
| The blood and interstitial fluid cannot be distinguished. | Blood and interstitial fluid are distinct. |
| Present in molluscs and arthropods. | Present in annelids and vertebrates. |
| Blood is pumped into the body cavity. | Blood is pumped through the vessels by the heart. |
| Dorsal blood vessel present. | Dorsal and ventral blood vessels present. |
| Capillary system is absent. | Capillary system is present. |
| Blood is in direct contact with the surrounding tissues. | Blood is not in direct contact with the tissues. |
| Nutrients are exchanged directly between blood and tissues. | The nutrients are exchanged via tissue fluid. |
| No transport of gases. | Gases are transported. |
| The fluid flowing in this system is called hemolymph. | Fluid flowing in this system is called blood. |
| No respiratory pigments are present. | Respiratory pigments are present. |
| The volume of blood cannot be controlled. | The volume of blood can be controlled by the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels. |
| Blood flow is slow. | Blood flow is rapid. |
| The open spaces are called sinuses and lacunae. | Closed spaces involve arteries and veins. |
| Organisms with OCS: Snails, clams, cockroaches and spiders. | Organisms with CCS: Humans, squids, cats, earthworms. |
